While the headline shows take place inside Playhouse Square venues, Tri-C JazzFest also takes an area of Euclid Avenue downtown for free outdoor performances.
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There’s no tempering the excitement surrounding this year’s Tri-C JazzFest, which takes place June 22 through 24 in and around Playhouse Square.

However, no one can deny the 38th annual affair will feel different due to the passing of Cleveland’s own Tommy LiPuma, a festival fixture who died earlier this year.

“That just kind of blew all of us away,” Tri-C JazzFest Director Terri Pontremoli said. “As a personal friend of Tommy, I’m still not over it. I’m so happy in retrospect that we celebrated his 80th birthday last year so that he could be here, love it and laugh.

“When you think about that birthday show, that’s the last time we saw Al Jarreau. That’s the last time we saw Leon Russell, and now the last time that we’ve seen Tommy. He will be so sorely missed.”

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Undoubtedly, LiPuma would want the focus to be on this year’s event, which boasts another star-studded lineup, this one featuring familiar names and notable up-and-coming artists.

“I’m excited about a lot of stuff,” Pontremoli said. “First of all, it always gives me great pleasure to introduce new artists to the community. Diego Figueiredo is this fabulous Brazilian guitarist. He’s a virtuoso, and he’s just fun to watch.

“We also have Jane Bunnett bringing in a group of all women from Cuba. We have a new singer named Alicia Olatujah, who I think will get everybody’s attention. I always like bringing in some artists that are surprises to people. I’m excited about those shows. I’m always excited about big ones, too.”

The festival kicks off June 22 with Dianne Reeves and Chris Botti at the Connor Palace. On June 23, Terence Blanchard’s Blue Note Sessions (Ohio Theatre) and Boney James/Norman Brown (Connor Palace) perform.

Something returning to the Tri-C JazzFest is its outdoor presence along Euclid Avenue, which will be closed between East 13th and East 14th streets. The latter will be also closed to traffic.

In addition to children’s activities, food trucks, games and local merchants in vendor village, there will be free performances from 17 local acts. Also, for the first time, in case of heavy rain or inclement weather, the outdoor activities will be relocated inside of Playhouse Square.

Interest in the Tri-C JazzFest, which last year was attended by more than 22,000 music lovers, has been growing of late. Pontremoli, who said the hope is this year’s affair attracts more than 30,000 people, stressed the appeal of the festival remains its diverse lineup.

“There is a balance,” Pontremoli said. “Every festival does some things that are commercial. And it’s like you have to think about critical mass, getting more people to see your stuff, but you also have to really remain close to your mission about nurturing this music, remembering the past and pulling in the future.

“That’s what kept us in business for 38 years, and it’s something I feel really strongly about.”